Crutch



G. W. DOE.

(No Model.)

GRUTOH.

No. 437,024.- Patented Sept. 23. 1890.

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s UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE IV. DOE, OF NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

CRUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,024, dated September 23, 1890.

Application tiled .I une 7,1890. Serial No. 354,614. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE NV. DOE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of -tail View.

This invention relates to certain improvements in crutches, having for its object to not only serve the ordinary use of a crutch, .but also to expedite the movement or gait, while no soreness or other injurious eect is experienced from the use of the crutch; and to these ends the invention consists in the construction and combination of the parts, as will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings, A refers to the crutch in its general outline of the usual skeleton form; but, unlike all others, it is provided with an arm-rest or head B, pivoted near its forward end to the upper end of the forward member or branch ct of the crutch in any suitable manner.

The arm-rest or head B is pivoted near its rear end to the upper end of a plunger C, telescoping the hollow or chambered rear branch or member A of the crutch and normally holding the rear end of said arm-rest or head elevated by the action of a spring D,

secured within said rear member or branch of the crutch and engaging at its upper end 4o a circular shoulder ZJ on said plunger some distance from its lower end.

The members or branches of the crutch A are strengthened by a suitable brace c, secured between and to said members or branches. It will therefore be seen that in the use of the crutch, as a forward step is taken, the action of the spring in lifting the rear end of the arm-rest or head,permitted by the raising of the arm, will in a measure have the eiiect to impel the body forward, and thus expedite the gait or movement of the user. It will also be seen that this spring-pressed plunger supporting the arm-rest or head will render the latter yielding under the pressure of the arm, thus preventing liability ofmaking the arm sore, while ease and comfort are promoted. Friction under the arm and consequent wear of the clothing are materially lessened.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

head pivoted near its lower forward end to the upper end of one branch or member of the crutch and pivoted or connected near its rear upper end to the upper end of a plunger acting upon a spring in the other member or branch of the crutch, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE V. DOE. NVitnesses:

DAVID A. SMITH, A. EDWIN CLARKE.

The crutch having the inclined arm-rest or 

